USB cassette tape comes with 1GB of storage

Make a MIXA USB Cassette Tape

Now you can take an ordinary looking cassette tape, personalize it to your liking and use it as a USB flash drive! The retro style make-a-MIXA USB cassette tape comes with 1GB of storage and a set of designer stickers for you to decorate it with or you can upload your own images to use. Featured on OhGizmo! the MIXA costs around $40 and includes international shipping. Don't they remind you of the retro-chic cassette wallets? Fun and functional!

Via - Make a MIXA USB Cassette Tape

Business of Design Week (BODW) 2007

Business of Design Week (BODW)
Bringing the best of the global design industry to Hong Kong, Business of Design Week (BODW) is Asia’s leading international conference dedicated to design, brand and innovation.
Uniquely focused on the intricate relationship between business and design, BODW is an international platform for designers, experts and entrepreneurs to network and share ideas, and an essential introduction to design for students and the public.

Why Attend BODW?
There’s no greater concentration of design talent in Asia! BODW speakers are leaders from design, academia, government and the private sector. Some of the world’s most influential and successful creative masters have participated - Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando, Daniel Libeskind, Andree Putman, Philippe Starck, Ross Lovegrove, James Dyson, Sir Terence Conran, Karim Rashid and Ron Arad.

The week-long programme has many innovative elements – a three day international forum, the HKDC Awards, and an array of outreach programmes, concurrent conferences and exhibitions to showcase the value of good design.

What is Special About BODW 2007?
BODW brings the world’s best to Asia and attracts over 10,000 participants to listen and learn, exchange ideas and network with global design business leaders.
Italy: BODW 2007 Partner Country

Presenting Italian design’s mastery, craftsmanship, and modern inspiration; bringing together the leaders who maintain Italy’s position at the forefront of international design alongside acclaimed international and Asian speakers, BODW 2007 promises to uphold its status as one of the year’s most important design events.

Who Should Attend BODW 2007?
CEOs and senior management in manufacturing or service businesses
Designers
Entrepreneurs
Design practitioners and those in related businesses
Policy makers and influencers, trade association leaders
Academics and design educators
Students and the general public

When and Where?
Business of Design Week 2007


Date:

Monday 10th December – Saturday 15th December
Venue:

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)
Organiser:

Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC)
Register now! Visit www.bodw.com
BODW is organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) and funded by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Innovation and Technology Commission.

ZAHA HADID’s Performing Arts Centre in Abu Dhabi

ZAHA HADID’s Performing Arts Centre in Abu Dhabi by Emily
We’re gaga over these renderings of Zaha Hadid’s proposed Performing Arts Centre in Abu Dhabi. We haven’t heard much about how green the building will be, but we’re excited to see more and more star architects inspired by natural and organic forms (check out the leaf-like windows!). The Performing Arts Center will be part of a multi-billion dollar cultural district with other buildings by Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, and Tadao Ando. In her own words, Ms. Hadid describes the structure as a “biological analogy” whose primary components (branches, stems, fruits, and leaves) are then “transformed from these abstract diagrams into architectonic design.” We can only hope that such poetic biomimicry will be translated into green functions, materials, and technologies as well.
Via Dezeen via Tropolism

Interzinc's 7th Annual Student Design Competition Water Dispensing Mechanism

Interzinc's 7th Annual Student Design Competition Water Dispensing Mechanism

Deadline: June, 2008

This competition is open to North American engineering and design students who are enrolled for the 2007-2008 academic year. You will be challenged to design and develop any type of water-dispensing mechanism other than a faucet or sink, it can be used inside or out and may be stationary or movable. The only design stipulation are: it must be used to disperse water effeciently for intended application and it must use the unique design characteristics of zinc castings and the casting process.Three winners will be selected and given a grant of $2000 for use at the college or university at which they are currently enrolled, in addition $1000 will be donated to their faculty advisor for use at his or her discretion within the department.

L'argus Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year Award 2008 - Design Contest

L'argus Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year Award 2008 - Design Contest

Deadline: November 5, 2007

Traffic flow is an issue for most of today's cities. There are differences from one city to another in terms of topography, city planning, traffic flow planning or even local culture, but all cities share the problem of goods delivery. Besides their differences, cities often have similar issues: increasing urbanisation and urban density, out-dated equipment, expanding service sectors... Added to this, development is often restricted due to the requirement of preserving the cities' historical centres.The student will first need to select a series of cities, which he/she has grouped on the basis of points they have in common: similar situations, comparable urban problems, same type of issues of urban development and transport (the cities do not necessarily have to be in the same geographical and cultural areas.) You will then list the general obstacles to and the specific problems of goods delivery that people have in these cities. The student will finally suggest an innovative commercial vehicle concept that provides solutions to the problems, justifying his/her choicesThere will be a monetary award for first place and the two runner ups as follows:
First Place (1 winner) = € 3000 and in field work placement in a Design DepartmentSecond Place (1 winner) = € 1500Third Place (1 winner) = € 500

Riverfront Design Competition

Riverfront Design Competition
Deadline: October 5th, 2007
The AIA 150 is hosting a Topeka Riverfront Design Competition for students K-6, 7-12, and College. Over $4,000.00 in prizes will be awarded to the winners. The competition deadline is October 5th, 2007.

Terras Guada: Francisco Mantecon International Advertising Poster Design Competition 6th Edition

Terras Guada: Francisco Mantecon International Advertising Poster Design Competition 6th Edition
Deadline: September 30, 2007
Terras Guada is inviting all graphic artists, design schools and universities from all over the world to take part in their 6th edition poster design competition. The winning design will form the company's advertising campaign for a one year period. Participants may base their entries on a theme of their choice, but the concept should relate to white wines of the Albarino variety: Terras Guada and Abadia de San Campio wines. Credit will be given for creativity and incorporation of the company's logo into the design. The competition is open to any natural or corporate person.There will be a monetary award for the first placed team/individual and two runner ups as follows:
First Place (1 winner) = € 6000Second Place (2 winners) = € 1500 Euros for each of the two runner ups
The jury will be chaired by Jose M. Fonseca Moreton, the chairman of Bodegas Terras Gaudad. Other jury members include Pilar Barreiro Mosquera, Manuel Estrada, Enrique Costas Rodriquez, Paulino Novo Folgueira, Alberto Luchini & Takahiro Shima (the winner from last year's competition. The jury's decision will be announced on December 31, 2007

The 2nd ADVANCED ARCHITECTURE CONTEST

The 2nd ADVANCED ARCHITECTURE CONTEST

Deadline: September 17, 2007The IAAC (Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia), is organizing an international competition of architecture: The 2nd Advanced Architecture Contest. It is a SELF-FAB HOUSE competition open for students and young professionals all over the world that places the accent in the construction of self-sufficient dwellings, in which the emphasis will be on exploring people’s capacity to construct their own homes, especially through the use of digital technologies.The proposals must be digitals and delivered via e-mail in 3 PDF files DINa3 format.Registration is free.The prize (total value: € 39.500, 00) will be distributed at the discretion of the Juries following the bases scheme.

Quiksilver Innovation Contest

Quiksilver Innovation Contest
Deadline: September 10, 2007 QUIKSILVER ROSSIGNOL GROUP is proud to launch the first edition of the INNOVATION CONTEST, the annual futuristic competition opened to progressive passionate athletes and designers everywhere, from professionals to amateurs. Applicants are to submit their best futuristic ideas and product concepts within the outdoor sports lifestyle category. The product concepts submitted will be judged on real future innovations in design and technologies that have been developed with users needs in mind while practicing boardsports and leisure activities. On September 27, 2007 a prestigious jury composed of celebrated leaders in the fields of design, sport and innovation will judge the 30 finalists and select the 3 winners. First place will be awarded €5000 and the presentation of the project at the ISPO Show in Munich on February 2008, second place will be €3000 and third will be €2000.

The Buckminister Fuller Challenge

Entries Beginning: September 4, 2007On the occasion of the 112th birthday of one of the 20th century's most prescient futurists and global thinkers, The Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI) announces the launch of the first annual The Buckminister Fuller Challenge.Established to catalyze the vanguard of a global design revolution, the Challenge will award a single $100,000 prize annually to support the development and implementation of a solution with significant potential to solve the world's most pressing problems in the shortest possible time while enhancing the Earth's ecological integrity.

Drop City Gallery/"Take A Seat"/Call For Artists - Designers

Deadline: September 1, 2007Medium: Two-dimensional drawings, sketches and any other supporting materials for a contemporary chair design to be executed by the artist. The finished chair must be functional and hold the weight of an average-sized, full-grown or young person. In addition, the chair must be constructed of renewable resources and/or salvaged and recycled materials. Please call with questions regarding material use and guidelines. Three-dimensional, finished rendition of the chair must be delivered to Drop City Gallery no later than December 1, 2007. For more info check out

The Great Indoors 2007

Deadline: September 1, 2007The Great Indoors Award 2007 – a new, biennial, international interior design award – invites designers, architects and clients to submit a project or projects in the following categories: Show & Sell (Retail), Relax & Consume (Leisure), Concentrate & Collaborate (Work), Serve & Facilitate (Public) and Interior Design Firm of the Year (open to architects and designers). The award ceremony and conference/workshops will take place from 16 through 18 November 2007 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Check out the site for more info: www.the-great-indoors.com

Body Glove Design Contest

Deadline: August 19, 2007*contest deadline has been extended!!!* The Body Glove Design Contest is a nationwide search for creativity, innovation, and originality. Be the one to design our next big thing: a sporty, fashionable Body Glove case for the Apple ®iPhone®. Your design could be used to create the newest product for the Body Glove technology accessories line and you could win up to $5000 USD! Please visit our website for additional details.

BraunPrize Award: Win a Trip to Germany!

BraunPrize Award: Win a Trip to Germany!
Deadline: August 15, 2007

The BraunPrize is a bi-annual international design competition established in 1968 to foster, develop and inspire young design talent. The BraunPrize has grown to be one of the most coveted awards for young talent within the industry. The 16th edition of the bi-annual BraunPrize will be held in Kronberg, Germany on Thursday 12th September 2007. This year, in conjunction with Core 77, the BraunPrize is offering you the chance to attend the ceremony - including travel to and from Germany and a two night hotel stay - to see for yourself the wealth of talent on offer, as well as the chance to meet designers at Braun and tour Braun's headquarters.To enter the drawing, complete the form here and correctly answer the 3 multiple choice questions. On August 16, 2007 one lucky winner will be selected to receive an all-expense-paid trip to Germany and an invitation to the gala awards ceremony! Don't wait - entries will be accepted through August 15 only!For full details, rules and schedule click here.

Camerarius

This shade-producing object resembles an oversized flowerpot holding a plant with large leaves. An artificial interpretation of a natural shade-maker. The 90 x 120 cm shade-sails, which are height-adjustably and mounted on 300cm long stainless steel rods, sway gently in the wind. The angle of the rods can be varied as well. The pattern of holes in the high-quality stainless steel base, which give the rods their support, allows for thousands of variations. The set includes: 1 Standbox 57x57cm 5 Rods 300cm 5 Sails 90x120cm

Found at http://www.pid.se/en/outdoor/camerarius_1510.html&image=6064

Fish Bowls by Roger Arquer

Fish Bowls by Roger Arquer

Fish Bowls is a new project by designer Roger Arquer that presents 15 variations on the standard fish bowl including Do Not Piss Me Off (above), which “tells us about the power to decide between the life and death of the fish”.

“Each piece examines a topic or suggests a solution to an issue,” says Arquer. “Dear Neighbour (above), for example, tell us about the delicate relationships we have with our close neighbours, Suicidal Tendencies prevents your fish from committing suicide, and Russian Dolls (below) gives your fish a chance to decide how big it wants to be. I once read that a fish grows according to the space it has, that’s what inspired me in this case.”

Fish Bowls will be exhibited in London this September as part of an exhibition called Conversational Spanish 02. Curated by Hector Serrano, the exhibition also shows the work of other Spanish designers including El Ultimo Grito, Martin de Azua and Marti Guixe.
Conversational Spanish 02 is supported by ICEX (Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade) and takes place at the Noel Hennessey contemporary furniture showroom, 67a Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 7PT, from 18-25 September 2007.

Handy Magnet

Handy MagnetMAGWEAR MAGNETIC WRISTBAND

How annoying is it to be working on a project around the house and you keep dropping the screws your using? Or how about those of us that hold nails in our mouth while we are hammering? Definitely not safe. Well this little magnetic wristband is here to improve home improvement. Simply strap this magnetic tray onto your wrist and the powerful pull of the magnet will hold most hardware, tools and other metallic objects conveniently on your wrist. It's simply genius - we can't believe no one thought of this before. The perfect companion for any home project and especially useful on ladders, under cars, in crawlspaces, hanging pictures, sewing, or in any situation where you don't want to drop things.
$18.00

Via UnCommon Goods

Charger*

From : Wallpaper*

Roaming off piste with a pocket full of batteries is hardly the spirit. Fortunately, Solio’s portable solar recharger, incorporating high-efficiency cells and sophisticated circuitry, is compatible with most mobile phones, PDAs, iPods, digital cameras and GPS systems. A vital piece of rescue kit should you become stranded on a mountain.

Website
http://www.solio.com
£77,

FOOD&DRINK

From : Wallpaper*

As avid devotees of the post-prandial peppermint tea, we hail the arrival of its warm-weather alter-ego, peppermint- infused mineral water.

Made with water from the Rockies and peppermint from Oregon and Washington, Metro Mint is our new favourite thirst-quencher.

LG Prada Phone

From : Wallpaper*

When Prada joined forces with Korean electronics giant LG to develop the Prada phone, it didn’t just tinker with the exterior aesthetics (although it did produce a case in the company’s signature ‘Saffiano’ leather). The label collaborated in developing the key elements of the user experience and, in this case, that means breakthrough technology. The advanced touch interface eliminates the need for a conventional keypad. Sleek and ultra-slim, at just 12mm wide, the phone contains a 2-megapixel camera, an MP3 player, a video player and a document viewer within its extra-wide LCD screen. When not in use, all that disappears and the phone’s exterior reverts to pure, uninterrupted black.

Website
http://www.lgpradaphone.com

£600, from select Prada stores

Fast Architecture Design Competition

From Core77.com



The Urbantine Project is a competition aimed at emerging designers and architects, with the winner getting £10,000 to create a structure which will be showcased in the outdoor spaces at The Truman Brewery as part of Tent London 2007. For those who don't know, Tent London is a multi-faceted design destination happening during the London Design Festival in September. This project will be one of six main events happening as part of this show.

Specifically, the brief is to design a structure that responds to issues of rapid change in the 21st Century workplace. Shown above are examples of 'fast architecture' from the competition web site. It's not often you get someone to pay you 10K to build a wacky clubhouse, so take advantage of their generosity. The deadline is July 16 and info and applications are available at their web site.

A Brave New World of Computing

Microsoft's Next-Gen PC Design Competition winners create innovative designs that take traditional PCs outside the box. [Source : Microsoft ]

LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2007 -- The inspiration for Allen Wong’s Next-Gen PC Design Competition entry came from a visit to a remote village in Kenya. “A hand-painted sign on the local elementary school promised ‘Computer Training,’ but the local villagers told me that it was false advertising,” recalls Wong. “The school didn’t even have windows, much less Windows!”
Wong, who with design partner Matt Conway went on to create the BulbPC, one of the competition winners, was inspired by his experience in Kenya to develop a new and revolutionary PC design that can meet the needs for computing and computer education in the developing world as well as address the IT requirements of first-world workplaces.

Wong’s Kenyan inspiration mirrors that of other winners in this year’s Next-Gen PC Competition, a Microsoft-sponsored event that challenges young design professionals and industrial design students to think beyond the constraints of traditional computing form factors.

>>>> Continue

MADE in China, a PC with a distinctly Asian interface, designed by John Leung.
Click for high-res version.

Focusin on ... John Leung, whose design MADE in China won the Chairman’s Award, was inspired to create a ground-breaking computing and infrastructure model specifically designed to bring computing closer to the world’s 1.3 billion Chinese. “I saw so many PCs in the market that were made IN China, but none of which were actually made FOR China,” says Leung, 21, an undergraduate architecture student at the University of Melbourne, Australia
MADE in China involves a MADE (Massively Administered Digital Entities) hardware and infrastructure that consists of a touch screen interface and remote servers that store applications and data. The infrastructure is linked to the interface via 4G mobile phone networks. “Together, they result in a PC which is affordable, profitable, and environmental, all without compromising performance, aesthetics, and convenience,” says Leung.

50 Years of Helvetica

2007 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Max Miedinger and Edouard Hoffmann's design Helvetica, the most ubiquitous of all typefaces.

Widely considered the official typeface of the twentieth century, Helvetica communicates with simple, well-proportioned letterforms that convey an aesthetic clarity that is at once universal, neutral, and undeniably modern.In honor of the first typeface acquired for MoMA's collection, the installation presents posters, signage, and other graphic material demonstrating the variety of uses and enduring beauty of this design classic.

As a special feature in the exhibition, an excerpt of Gary Hustwit's documentary Helvetica reveals the typeface as we experience it in an everyday context.

50 Years of Helvetica April 6, 2007–March 31, 2008 The Museum of Modern ArtArchitecture and Design Galleries, third floorOrganized by Christian Larsen, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Architecture and Design.MOMA: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/7256/

25/25 : Celebrating 25 Years of Design

2007 marks 25 years since the opening of the Boilerhouse, the original incarnation of the Design Museum. To celebrate this significant anniversary, as plans are being made for a major expansion programme, the Design Museum has invited 25 designers and individuals with an interest in design, each to select an object that they believe represents the best, or the most characteristic design of the period.From the 1983 Alessi Whistling Kettle, to the 2001 iPod designed by Jonathan Ive for Apple, the 25 selected designs, representing the best of industrial design, graphics, furniture, and fashion, designed or first manufactured between 1982 and 2007, will be exhibited at the Design Museum in 25/25 - Celebrating 25 Years of Design from 29 March to 22 June 2007.

The exhibition will offer a fascinating overview of the most important moments and developments in design during this period, as well as an insight into the thoughts of these key designers and design commentators, including Terence Conran, founder of the Boilerhouse, fashion designer Paul Smith, designers David Mellor, Jaime Hayon, and the Design Museum's Director Deyan Sudjic.

Other selectors include architect Richard Rogers and designer Ab Rogers, industrial designer Dieter Rams, product designers Richard Seymour and Dick Powell of SeymourPowell, world renowned graphic designer, visual artist, and computer scientist John Maeda, and Dutch designer Maarten Baas.Established by Terence Conran in 1981 in the basement of the Victoria & Albert Museum, the aim of the Boilerhouse was to put design at the centre of contemporary culture. It was a move to demonstrate both the richness of the creativity to be found in all forms of design, and its importance. Quickly outgrowing the V&A, in 1989 it moved on to become the Design Museum, in an architecturally striking transformation of a Thameside warehouse.

Since then the Design Museum has emerged as an institution with international significance, playing a vital role in placing design and architecture on the cultural agenda.

The Design Museum: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/7244/

Kylie - The Exhibition

Kylie - The Exhibition explores and celebrates Kylie Minogue, who began her career playing the character of Charlene, the girl next door in Neighbours, and went on to become an international pop sensation known the world over simply as Kylie.
The exhibition features costumes and memorabilia collected over Kylie's career and was inspired by her donation to the Arts Centre's Performing Arts Collection in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003. The Kylie Minogue Collection contains over 600 costumes and accessories, many created by the world's leading fashion designers. A selection of them are presented in this exhibition which has been divided into six themes - Music and Video, On Tour, On Stage, Image, Icon, and Backstage - to reflect the many aspects of Kylie's career.
Music and Video

'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' video from the album Fever, 2001. Photograph courtesy Parlaphone Records and EMI Records Ltd. (click image for larger version)
When Kylie’s first single ‘Locomotion’ was released in 1987 it became a number one hit in Australia. It took Kylie to London where she began to transform her image from the girl next door to the stylish, sexy Kylie first seen in the video for ‘Better the Devil You Know’ (1990).
In 1993 Kylie signed to independent UK recording label deConstruction. She began to focus on writing, producing and performing with other artists, achieving new credibility. Videos such as ‘Confide in Me’ (1994) were more experimental and cutting-edge.
When disco-inspired ‘Spinning Around’ (2000) was released, Kylie entered a new phase in her career. From the sophisticated glamour of ‘On a Night Like This’ (2000) to the funky electronica of ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ (2001), Kylie yet again transformed herself both musically and visually. ‘Slow’ (2003) presented another version of sexy, glamorous Kylie.
On Tour

'Dancing Queen' corset and tiara, Intimate and Live tour, Australia and London, 1998. Photograph by Campbell Knott (click image for larger version)
Kylie has always enjoyed touring and performing live in front of large audiences. Her costumes are working outfits and by the end of the tour reflect the wear and tear caused by costume changes, microphone packs and make-up. That so many of her costumes have survived the rigours of international touring is remarkable.
Kylie’s early tours featured the costumes of prominent Australian designers, each one revealing a different look. Later she took a more integrated approach to create distinct moods and themes. In the KylieFever2002 tour Kylie wore costumes specifically designed for her by Dolce & Gabbana. The concert took the audience on a journey across time through six acts and featured eight costume changes.
Kylie Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour featured costumes by several major UK and European designers.





On Stage
Kylie has appeared at a wide range of charity occasions, special events and award ceremonies including the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2002 BRIT Awards.
While many of her appearances are tied to tours, music releases and videos, Kylie will often appear in stand-alone outfits created especially for the particular occasion.
One of her most high-profile appearances was at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Closing Ceremony. She arrived in the stadium on the back of a giant ‘flip-flop’ in a pink sequined showgirl costume.
Kylie has also made many appearances at gay nightclubs, such as G-A-Y at the London Astoria, and at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.



Image


Kylie is one of the most photographed people in the world. Over 25 photographers are represented in this exhibition, allowing us to see the evolution and experimentation that characterise images of Kylie. The photographs are all formal – that is, staged for a purpose – whether that be a video shoot, album cover or magazine feature.
When Kylie began taking greater control of her image through her costumes she also began to use photography in new ways and to work with some of the world’s leading photographers. Throughout her career, images of Kylie have also appeared in international fashion and music magazines including i-D, The Face, Pop, Vogue and GQ.
Kylie’s image as projected through photography provides another way to explore her as a modern-day performer and celebrity.



Icon


Kylie is a cultural icon known the world over, dating from her first appearance as tomboy mechanic Charlene in Neighbours.
The 50p gold hotpants in the video for ‘Spinning Around’, a song that became a musical and visual anthem, and her memorable performance in the video ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’, wearing a deceptively simple white jersey hooded jumpsuit have helped to build this iconic status.


Backstage


This is where the creative ideas and staging behind some of Kylie’s videos, tours and special events take place. Her performances on screen and stage are the result of months of creative brainstorming, writing, design, rehearsals and production. She works closely with a core team, including her stylist William Baker and her musical director Steve Anderson. Depending on the project, there may also be video directors, designers and choreographers who work to develop and realise all creative elements.

It’s easy for the audience to forget that much of Kylie’s world revolves around the spaces backstage. Before a show there will be a flurry of activity as she puts on her first costume and gets ready to make her appearance. After stepping around equipment and over leads, her microphone is switched on and she emerges for another performance.

Source : http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/kylie/exhibition/index.html

GRAVITY FREE: 2007

GRAVITY FREE: 2007
“THE GEOGRAPHY OF CURIOSITY”

GRAVITY FREE is a unique multidisciplinary design conference of remarkable designers, design thinkers and innovators from around the world who are changing the way we see the planet. This year the theme of the GRAVITY FREE conference is “The Geography of Curiosity”.

Curiosity is the beating heart of innovation, the driver in problem-solving. This year, each speaker will explore one essential question at the heart of his/her work, a curiosity driver, if you will. Here’s just some of what we’ll be discussing:

• Why do clients fire designers? HENRY BEER • Where do “branded environments” most often fail? EVA MADDOX • Can we be creative on demand? (Creativity, Ego and Abundance) PAUL BUDNITZ • How do you make the boring better? KARIM RASHID • Why is 'real' important in contemporary culture? JIM GILMORE • What is common sense? FRANCO LODATO • In what ways are transformational environments changing? RON POMPEI • How can packaging be more than just a box? YARON KOPEL • What is Graphic Design For? DANA ARNETT • Why do the great cities of the world have no comparative data? RICHARD SAUL WURMAN • Why is EMOTION the next battleground in design? FRANK STEPHENSON • If narrative design is the answer, what is the question? KIT HINRICHS • Why does exhibit design still (mostly) suck? — the sequel. MARTY SMITH • How is technology helping to form new communities? JENNIFER SIEGAL • Why do we eat the way we do? HOMARO CANTU • How can design make the world better for five billion people? CAMERON SINCLAIR • Humor in design? MICHAEL VANDERBYL • What matters most to people now? LARRY KEELEY • Where to? LARS UWE BLEHER • Why has IBM failed to introduce a strategic product in the last 30 years? FRANK SOLTIS • What are the essentials of storytelling? JEANNINE OPPEWALL

This, of course, is what GRAVITY FREE is about. We bring together extraordinary people from an eclectic mix of design disciplines and — shazam — magic connections are made, electricity is produced, ideas are cross-fertilized, inspiration follows. We love the concept. We think you (and your clients) will, too.
GRAVITY FREE: 2007 provides a lighting fast way to cross-fertilize your own creative grab bag. It leaves you appreciating your role in the design community. Gives you a larger view of the world. Adds value to your company and your clients. Provides you personal and conversational access to design genius you wouldn’t have any other place. In short, it rocks!
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Registration is now open. The price is $1650.

Please note that seating is limited. Designers and clients get first priority. Others will be notified as space becomes available. If the Book Club premiums are important to you, you should consider registering at the earliest possible date to receive the most free books.


GRAVITY FREE: 2007 COME CURIOUS. LEAVE INSPIRED.
http://www.exhibitoronline.com/gravityfree/2007.asp

SMALL JENGA

Not the most obvious of games to be made portable, Jenga can finally be with you wherever you go. Petit Jenga is a complete miniature Jenga set featuring a little “prodder” to assist the removing of blocks (your massive hands will be too big to remove with accuracy), as well as a little clear plastic carrying case that can be attached to your keys or belt loop if you’re a Jenga obsessive. Petit Jenga is 504 yen (£2.10/$4.20) from Strap-Ya.

Source : http://www.plasticbamboo.com/2007/05/11/tiny-jenga/

ARCHITECT+ARCHIVE LINK EXCHANGE

Lighthouse Decor & More

Our lighthouse decor with its tranquil seaside scenery displaying lighthouses and sailing ships will bring the call of the ocean to your living room or den. These discount priced home accent pieces are sure to bring out the seafarer in you.

Thaiblog.info : the next step of thai blogger

ThaiBlog.info building up blogger community among Thai internet users. Could be the first for 'Blog Search Engine' or 'Blog Directory' in Thai version and own by 'Keng' the popular blogger in Thailand.This site is giving quite 'quality' blog by using approval system before your blog has been added.

Social bookmark will be popular after blog has become very popular in our life time. Many services design for blogger, site statistic, directory, community and blog become more than a personal journal.

Another interesting social bookmark website is Zickr, very various link come up every hours. This is the sign of blogger movement that going more popular and will be an important part of internet community and our daily life.

about : www.thaiblog.info , www.zickr.com , www.keng.com

THE LOUVRE OF THE MIDDLE EAST : A project by Jean Nouvel

The Louvre of Abu Dhabi giving a 24,000 suqare meters to serve 4 museums including contemporary art museum, national art museum. Look like a floating UFO isn't it?

No timeline notice in Jean Nouvel's website. Keep update at

CAR NOT CARBON : SOMETHING NEED TO BE CHANGED

The Cars NOT Carbon competition aims to reward the best examples of creativity focused on greener motoring. It will be the centrepiece of the LowCVP annual conference on the 28th of June when the winners will be announced.

It will provide a platform for an interchange of ideas between participating professional agencies and further-educational establishments, and those responsible for deciding the marketing and advertising approaches of the motoring and fuel companies.

The objective of the competition is to raise awareness of the opportunities for promoting greener motoring in the UK and to encourage engagement between motor and fuels industry decision makers and the creative industries.

The competition aims to further raise the profile of low carbon transport in the context of meeting the urgent threats posed by climate change.The challenge is to develop an effective marketing campaign or execution based on 'real world' low carbon issues.ObjectivesTo reward creativity for campaigns which meet the brief.

To engage marketers and educational institutions around the issues of low carbon fuels, vehicle technology and responsible motoring. To create debate within the motor industry, media and general public. To encourage the uptake of new cleaner vehicles and use of cleaner fuels by fleets and consumers.

To encourage the efficient and responsible use of vehicles as well as reducing travel. Judging will take place between 29th May and 1st June.

More : http://www.lowcvp.org.uk/carsnotcarbon/

THE FRONDS : they are moving in....

The the 8th wonder of this world, the Palm Jumeirah, a fastest growing project become real fantastic living place. The Fronds, a residence section, member are moving in and almost finish.

This project will sovle Dubai's beach shortage and extending tourism business. The villa connected to the Sub-Sea tunnel and surrouding by club house, retail shops and soon with hotel and resorts.

What a wonderful place to go....More image available at gallery.
found at http://www.thepalm.ae/jumeirah/tour-the-island/the-fronds/

URBAN OCTOPUS : The new Praque's national library will complete in 2011

Praque, the city of art and beauty, a combination of architecture of the past and future. Within 2011, this city will have a new extraordinary and very unique design of a new Praque's national library which will be one of the top famous design in this world.

The new national library (octopus look a like) was desiged by Jan Kapliky, a Czech architect base in UK. Kapliky told press for the inspiration of this project that come from a sugar bolw,as well as World War II bunkers, baroque forms, the human body and jellyfish.

This project cost ~93 $ Million and giving 'Praque' a 35,000 square-meters for holding 10 million books and about 300,000 copies for public access that serving by a robot deliver book from the book shelfs automitically. (this should be a very .efficien way to manage books)

More about Jan Kapliky at http://www.future-systems.com/
Image from radio.cz/en/article/88974
Text by Pack

ARCHITECT'07 : Day 5

ARCHITECT'07 : Day 5

Today I walking around the exhibition area which include project and international project from Thai architect also student workshops and I found thoes are very interesting.
Many international projects showing by 'Digital Gallery', the big plasma screen, and reveal the hidden potentail of Thai architects.

The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai was developed by Inter Design Co.,Ltd, a Thai design firm that released many international project in Dubai, Srilanka, Malaysia etc. Some gallery showing their awards winner design.

Jump to student's workshops. Many school and collage presenting such a creative, fresh and wicked idea to develope their work in architecture and interior design.

Many companies are very outstanding in their booth design which attract many visitor to step inside and meet the products. This is the last 2 days in this fair and more people comming during weekend.

For more information please visit http://www.architectexpo.com/
Text by Pack